Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-03-04
NOTE AND COMMENT.

We have made no attempt TO give even a
complete outline Of the long and IN large
part. decidedly sharp discussion which took
place ON the highway question The whole
matter is best summed up IN general state
ment that the temper of the meeting was
opposed tu the way things
have been done the past year and with
the opposition and condemnation very
healthy portion of righteous Indignation was
mixed A. usual the discussion took ON
quite too much of a personal character. and
many uncalled-for things were said against
Mr.. Stockwel which should have been di-
rected instead against the false system of
which he has been only the instrument Ii
was evident that the people were bent upon
a change Many would have been glad u
Sre the change take the form of putting the
roads into the hands of the selectmen, but
the majority preferred the commissioner
system. and they were there 10 elect q. q.
Allen first commissioner. Mr.. Stockwell
friends were quick 10 see tins. and adrOitiy
changed their tactics 50 Hs 10 secure his
election to the second place 10y giving Mr..
Allen the first II printed ballots had been
prepared for Mr. Waite, he would unques-
tionahly have been elected Many people
who are strongly opposed t. our general
highway system as it has been administered
by Mr. StOckwel voted for INN on account
of what he has done for our sldew alks and
because they still want hi, service, in thu,
direction
As We have said, the opposition. and in
dignatiuu. and demand for a change was
directed not 50 much against Mr. Stockwel
personally a. against the bad methods which
have been followed, and if the new board
81 commissioners interpret the spirit of the
hall
ia several directions the coming year but
If thing are still allowed to drift it wont
take much Of prophet t. foretell com
plete and thorough going revolution ou the
first Tuesday Of next March.
MIR Highly figure, ou the comparative
cnst OF our highways for five years past
were carefully worked out. but they can
not bee accepted a. conclusive, because dur
ing the first of tine years named the old
system was Iu operation under which tax
of - cents was voted ayable IN work
which increased the apparent amount eN
pended but did not increase the actual
work done. for all road men a.ree that 10
cent tax 10 money H. far better and viii go
farther than d 2.,-cent tax IN work
The town is evidently ready and anxious
for suitable Improvement, uu the town hall
building o. make it correspond with the
demands Ut THESE modern times No oppu-
sitIou wa, made Ia the proposed mtroduc-
tiou ui steam heat, and the people of all
parts of the town evidently realize that
some change is required to make the ell
trance safe and decent The plan for al
IRON balcony. mentioned Ia the meeting was
drawn three or four wears ago los New \ Ork
architect. at the request and EXPENSE Of + l..
Draper, to snow what could be done both g.
NJ. H..
make safe. easy entrance. The plan
cuntemplates d structure Of two stories III
height somewhat similar t. the Brooks
House haicouy which would provide "a
hand stand ON the upper floor The est
mated cost. as Ne remember. when the
plans were made WAS from $500 IL S2OOU
according to the stvle Of roof Since that
time iron has 81 much cheapened in price
that the cost would now he considerably
less Tins plan l.. or SOM will be, access
bic 10 all who may wish Ia examine it, We
wish, however To repeat our suggestion
that tn" balcony Is not th, first or main
thing but the reconstruction of the en-
trance steps 50 that they may be no longer
dangerous To the limbs of the hundreds of
people who must visit the building daiy
A public spirited citizen. who ha, had
F long experience a. a fireman suggests that
the balcony idea Ice extended TO the erection
of a handsome and suitable iron tower ON
the front of the building in which shall be-
placed fire alarm bell 10 be used for no
other purpose Ia due time elecric connec-
ton could be made with the bell from
Western Avenue, Esteyville, Prospect Hill.
and other parts of the village aud in this
way the village would secure district FIRE
alarm system Al very small expense
One OF the most gratifying features OF
the meeting was the entire unanmitv and
cheertulnesS with which money was voted
for the support of the free library. The
vote OF appropriation was strong and
hearty one. and not a voice was raised IN
the negative such action showed not onl,
Just appreciation Of the benefits of the a.
brary. hut of the gifts of Mr. Brooks and
his heirs
The special state tax ordered by the leg.
islature for this year is , cents on dollar
the state school tax viii also be one of /.
cents, and the county tax about three
tourths of one per cent These three take,
deducted from the total tax of - cents OF
ID dollar, which was voted leaves the tow
tax at 30 cents which is less than in many
previous years,
Dea. Esteys shrewd suggestion that til,
seiectnen defer the special town meetnl
ON the Hlnsdale bridge question till after
the first of May, so a. To- see if the bridg,
stays there, amused the meeting yer,
much. but if the immense body of snow
which lies IN the Connecticut and Yves
River valleys should conclude to come down
all at once some tine day and night tn,
Deacon's shrewdncss would probably coun
at full 100 cents on the dollar And i
might put different complexion ON the sit
uation so far a. Hmsdale and Chesterfield,
art concerned